Left out in the storm - Elderly woman braves storm after shelter rejects her dog

Battling fierce winds from Hurricane Melissa yesterday, a senior citizen, 76-year-old Empress, clutched the trolley tightly while peering inside -- where a brown and black terrier, dressed in a purple frock, lay huddled. The woman, visibly upset, explained that she chose to weather the storm on the street after being denied entry to a shelter because of her pet.

"They said I cannot come into the shelter with my pet so decided to go out on the street and stay there then," said the woman. According to Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, animals are not allowed in public emergency shelters. For 76-year-old Empress, leaving her dog outside while she takes refuge from the menacing Melissa was non-negotiable.

"I live a long way from here, in the hills, but I took the dog to the vet yesterday (Monday) evening and didn't get back home. They don't want my dog in the shelter and I am staying with her," she added.

The 76-year-old explained that her terrier, affectionately named Police, was a gift from a police officer about six months ago. Earlier this week, the animal was hit by a car, suffering multiple injuries, including a broken leg. Empress said she took her pet to the vet on Tuesday but was unable to make it home before the powerful Category 5 hurricane struck.

"She had cuts over her and one of her legs was broken and she was in a lot of distress. I will have to take her back because her foot was suppose to go in a cast, but could not, because it is swollen. I make sure I keep her dry and comfortable," the dog mom said.

Empress said she was deeply troubled by the way many Jamaicans treat animals, noting that it reflects poorly on the society as a whole.

"Majority of Jamaican people don't like animals and I have seen so many dogs nose-less, broken up and chopped up. If that is the way they treat them animals you can tell what kind of society we living in," she said.

"I like dog as much as how I like people, or even more, because they are very reliable and have a whole lot of love in them. ...They will show more gratitude than humans," the elderly woman said.